Yes, I agree about the thread colour - I chose "Parchment" so it is not intrusive. However, there must be instances when varigated thread will work - for instance, I have just finished "Blooming Steps" - a scrappy quilt with black background. I wish I had found the LAQ before I started quilting it myself. However, I have used a varigated thread, and it looks rather nice.I am still sewing on the binding - it is almost a king size and taking ages. (Wow, the camera sure shows all the little threads etc!)